Reducing your chance of depression, decreasing the danger of falling, and increasing cognitive ability are some of the unexpected health advantages that have been shown to come from using hearing aids. Which is why when these devices seem like they malfunction, it’s so frustrating. When you start detecting screeching feedback, or when your hearing aids suddenly go silent, expedient solutions can make the difference between a wonderful family dinner or a difficult one.
Luckily, there are some practical troubleshooting measures you can take which could alleviate or manage some typical hearing aid issues. figuring out what’s wrong with your hearing aid as fast as possible will get you back to what’s important all the sooner.
Maybe The Batteries Need to be Swapped Out
One of the most common issues with hearing aids is a low battery. Rechargeable batteries come standard with some hearing aid models. Changeable batteries are standard on other models. Here are a few of the symptoms that could give you a clue that the batteries are the bad guy when your device starts to malfunction:
- Hearing aids won’t turn on: If your hearing aid won’t turn on, or keeps shutting off, there’s a good possibility the battery is the primary issue.
- Weak sounds: You feel like you are always straining to hear what’s going on around you.
- Dull sound quality: It seems as if someone is talking to you underwater or from across the room.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Verify that the batteries are completely charged. Allow your rechargeable batteries to charge overnight or for at least a few hours.
- Having the correct batteries is essential so make sure you double check that. Putting the wrong kind of battery into your hearing aid can result in malfunctions. (Sometimes, a battery will appear to be the same size as a different battery so it’s crucial that you be careful and check twice.)
- If you have replaceable batteries, replace them regularly. In some situations, rechargeable batteries are sealed into the device, and if that’s the case, you may have to bring the hearing aid to a specialist.
Every Surface Should be Cleaned
Hearing aids, obviously, spend a lot of time in your ears. And your ears have a lot taking place inside of them. So in the process of helping you hear, it’s not surprising that your hearing aid can get a bit dirty. In spite of the fact that hearing aids are designed to cope with some earwax, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned once in a while. A few problems linked to buildup and dirt may include:
- Feedback: It’s possible that earwax buildup can interfere with the feedback canceling functions of your hearing aid, causing you to hear a whining noise.
- Muffled sound: Earwax and other buildup can cause your hearing aid to sound like it’s buried beneath something.
- Discomfort: Earwax can buildup to the point where your hearing aid fits a little tight. Occasionally, the plastic in the molds will harden and need to be replaced.
Here’s what you do about it:
- Maintain the filter by checking it and, when needed, replacing it.
- Ensure you are sending your hearing aids to a specialist for regular maintenance and cleaning.
- The tip of your hearing aid can become covered and plugged up by earwax and debris so check for that. Clean with your cleaning tool or as advised by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Carefully clean your hearing aids, as per the manufacturer’s suggestions.
Try Giving Yourself Some Time
The hearing aid itself isn’t always the issue. When your brain isn’t used to hearing the outside world, it can take some time to get used to your new hearing aids. As your mind adjust, you may notice that specific sounds are unpleasantly loud (the hum of the refrigerator, for instance). And certain consonants often sound louder than the rest of the speech.
These are all clues that your brain is racing to catch up to auditory stimuli again and, in time, you’ll adjust.
However, it’s important not to let too much time go by, with any issue, before getting help. If your hearing aids are not comfortable or you’re getting continuous noise problems or things don’t seem to be working just the way they should be, we can help get you back on track and make sure you’re enjoying, not enduring, your hearing aids.
